MLS FC Dallas

FC Dallas Midfielder Brek Shea Earns First MLS All-Star Nod

Published on July 11, 2011 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
FC Dallas News Release


FRISCO, Texas (Monday, July 11) - FC Dallas star midfielder Brek Shea earned his first MLS All-Star recognition, as one of 11 players voted into the 2011 AT&T MLS All-Star Game "First XI" as selected by fans.

Shea joins marquee players Landon Donovan, David Beckham, Thierry Henry and Rafa Márquez on the elite list revealed Sunday at halftime of the Portland-Seattle match on ESPN. The 2011 AT&T MLS All-Star Game is July 27 at Red Bull Arena where the MLS stars will take on English Premier League powerhouse Manchester United.

"We're incredibly proud of Brek," said FC Dallas President and CEO Doug Quinn. "This is a huge honor for both Brek and FC Dallas. We believe he is among the best in MLS and we're thrilled to see fans have also recognized how special a player he is."

FC Dallas' top goal scorer, Shea is one goal behind Donovan and Henry in the MLS race for the Golden Boot with eight and leads MLS in game-winning goals with four on the season. The 21-year-old Texas native recently signed a contract extension keeping him in an FC Dallas jersey through the end of the 2015 season.

The First XI received the most votes at their respective positions from combined fan voting on three platforms: online at MLSsoccer.com, via text message and via Twitter. The online and text voting ballot consisted of six players from each club, as chosen by a panel of media members.

A 12th MLS All-Star, the player who garnered the most votes via text, is Sporting Kansas City defender Matt Bessler.

Sunday's announced First XI is not necessarily the starting lineup for the match. MLS All-Star coach Hans Backe will select the starters based on player availability and tactical considerations. If First XI selections are unavailable due to injury, international duty or other commitments, Backe will select alternates for the game-day roster, but all First XI players are All-Stars.

Two selections by MLS Commissioner Don Garber will be announced July 16. The complete game day roster will be announced on Monday, July 18.

MLS All-Star First XI

Goalkeeper: Kasey Keller (SEA)

Defenders: Omar Gonzalez (LA), Sean Franklin (LA), Rafa Márquez (NY), Tim Ream (NY)

Midfielders: David Beckham (LA), Jack Jewsbury (POR), Brek Shea (DAL)

Forwards: Landon Donovan (LA), Thierry Henry (NY), Chris Wondolowski (SJ)

AT&T Text Voting Winner:

Defender: Matt Besler (Sporting Kansas City)

Brek Shea Midfielder FC Dallas Nationality: USA Born: February 28, 1990

The young FC Dallas winger has always been noted for his speed and versatility, but he is arriving as a goal-scorer in a big way this season, as he currently sits tied for second in the standings for the Budweiser Golden Boot with eight goals, and ranks first in the league for game-winning goals (4). Shea has also led an explosive FC Dallas offense to 26 goals, first in the Western Conference as of July 6. Shea did not play college soccer and instead turned professional straight out of high school, and was the second overall selection in the 2008 MLS SuperDraft. While playing at the U.S. residency program in Bradenton, Florida, Shea played extensively for the United States U-17 team. He later moved to the U-20 national team, whom he has represented at the 2009 CONCACAF U-20 Championship. Shea received his first appearance with the full U.S. Men's National Team on Oct 12, 2010 when he played the first half of a 0-0 draw with Colombia. He was the first player born in the 1990s to make an appearance for the full U.S. National Team. This is Shea's first MLS All-Star Team selection.

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